Archives - July 1988
|
|
Archives - July 1988 |
|
Produced by Cheree Hill and John Rodick
THE PLAY
Period drama, set in a beauty shop in 1867. Madame Rachel is a woman from a harsh background, now making a more than comfortable living from selling beauty treatments at ridiculous prices to wealthy clients. One such is Mrs Borrodaile, whom Rachel convinces she can make "Beautiful For Ever", just as on her shop pamphlets.
When Mrs Borrodaile runs out of money, she sensibly chooses to end her treatments. Rachel, however, knowing her to have stocks and properties, talks her into continuing, on the premise that she has an admirer - Lord Ranelagh - who seeks to court her. Madame then has her daughter forge a number of letters purporting to be from the Lord, pledging eternal affection to Mrs Borrodaile and then, later, pleading for her temporary financial assistance. Blinded by the thought of love, Mrs Borrodaile hands over all of her savings and sells everything she owns, but still ends up owing Madame Rachel money. When she cannot pay, Rachel has her thrown into Whitecross Prison.
Some weeks later Miss Sutton visits Madame Rachel. She met Mrs Borrodaile in prison and has been moved to pity for the poor lady's plight. An altogether more shrewd prospect than the shop's normal clientele, Miss Sutton tricks Madame Rachel into admitting the truth and vows to see Rachel in prison and all of Mrs Borrodaile's money returned. As the play ends, even Madame's daughter has deserted her and gaol is waiting.
PREVIEWS & REVIEWS
Preview from the Worthing Herald, June 1988
Return To Year